Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte 'not aware' of US forces joining battle in besieged city of Marawi

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he was “not aware” US special forces had joined the battle to defeat Isis militants besieging a town in the southern Philippines. Mr Duterte said he had “never approached America” for help and was “not aware of that until they arrived,” when he was asked about US support to fight the pro-Isis militants in Marawi City, on the island of Mindanao. The cooperation between the longtime allies in the battle is significant because Mr Duterte, who came to power a year ago, has taken a hostile stance towards Washington and has vowed to eject US military trainers and advisers from his country.